Engine coolant for drill bit lubricant?

[Rolomoto]

I have to do some drilling into metal. Advice is to use a a cutting oil, Kroil or transmission fluid. I have some engine coolant, could I use that? Thanks

 

[oldhp]

It more important to lube drill bit, that's why cutting oil, Kroil or trans fluid is recommended. Anti-freeze??? I wouldn't.

 

[EdwardC]

I think I would use motor oil before coolant. You want to lube metal on metal contact, which oil is made to do.

 

[BigWrench9]

CRC Brakleen. Don't need the lube as much as the cooling.

 

[GreeCguy]

Antifreeze is toxic. I'd be very wary of using it as a drill bit lube/coolant.

 

[simple_gifts]

What type of metal are you drilling into? If cast iron, use kerosene. Engine antifreeze would not be on my top 10 or 50 list.

 

[Trav]

Any kind of engine oil will do also, 3 in 1 is better than nothing. Run the bit a slower speed to reduce heat. Coolant used for cutting tools contains water soluble oil, grinders can use straight coolant.

 

[Volvohead]

Originally Posted By: Trav

Any kind of engine oil will do also, 3 in 1 is better than nothing. Run the bit a slower speed to reduce heat. Coolant used for cutting tools contains water soluble oil, grinders can use straight coolant.

What? You don't like the smell of Prestone in the morning? That's right there with packing the front bearings with bacon grease.

 

[expat]

9 times out of 10 WD40 is easy to use (via the tube) and gets the job done. Bigger jobs get a cutting oil emulsion.

 

[tom slick]

For home workshop use any OIL you have available will work okay as long as it's mild steel or aluminum.

 

[Rolomoto]

Thanks for all the replies, very informative.

 

[ddrumman2004]

Crisco is a great lubricant as well.....for drilling and tapping.